Portable stalk-guard for binders.



J. L. BURNS.

PORTABLE STALK GUARD FOR BINDE'RS. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 16, 1 916. RENEWED. JUNE 3. I918.

Patented J an. '21

m a Z X JESS L. BURNS, OF FARNHAMVILLE, IOWA.

I PORTABLE STALK-GUARD FOR BINDERS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an, 21, 1919.

Application filed October 16, 1916, Serial No. 125,929. Renewed June 3, 1918. Serial No. 238,044.

able others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to attachments for binders and has special reference to a portable stalk guard for binders.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device which will cure a difliculty resident in binders of certain types.-

In some binder constructions, there is employed a flat platform arranged behind the cutter bar longitudinally thereof, over which there passes the usual platform canvas, which is mounted on rollers at the ends of the platform. There is an open space at the end of the platform, and the difiiculty referred to arises from the fact that during operation of the mechanism, the lower portion of the canvas, traveling toward the puter end of the platform engages and carries with it stray stalks of grain which may have escaped the cutter bar. There is a transverse brace rod at the inner end of the platform, which extends above the platform surface and it is often the case that stalks carried by the lower portion of the canvas become clogged between this brace rod and the canvas itself, seriously interfering with the operation of the machine. The present device is provided to prevent such clogging and interference with the operation of the machine.

An important object of the invention is the provision of a portable stalk guard of this description which is adjustable to various widths of platforms and which may be connected to various binders by means of hooks and straps in such manner that, while always remaining close to the platform canvas, the other edge of the guard may be suspended to any of the braces of the machine at a distance from the platform by means of adjustable straps.

With the above and other objects in view, as will be hereinafter apparent the invention consists in general of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, cally claimed.

In the accompanying drawing, like characters of reference indicate like parts in the several views, and

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a binder and its platform showing the device applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a top plan VlGW of the device.

Fig. 3 is an end view of the device.

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

In the embodiment of the invention herein illustrated there is provided a pair of trough-shaped plates 10 and 11 each of which has its lateral edges inturned, the edges of the plate -10 being indicated at 12 while the edges of the plate 11 are indicated at 13. The inturned edges of the plate 10 slidably engage in the inturned edges of the plate 11 so that the plates are thus slidably connected. Along one set of these inturned edges are arranged hooks 14 which, it will be noted, open downwardly .when the device is in operative position. Along the other edges 12 and 13 are provided pivoted loops 15 through which extend straps 16 carrying at one end a buckle 17 while the other end is provided with suitable perforations of the usual class for the reception of the buckle tongue.

By reference to Fig. 1 it will be seen that the binder A is provided with main frame braces a and a transverse brace rod 1), the platform canvas being shown at Z. In use the hooks 14 are engaged on the transverse brace rod 6 and the parts 10 and 11 slid longitudinally of each other until they fit between the sides of the machine. The straps are then connected to the main frame braces a so as to hold the plates substantially horizontal or with their strap carrying edge somewhat elevated.

It will thus be seen that any stalks re maining uncut and lying inwardly of the end of the harvester platform, which is indicated at X in the drawings, will be prevented from engagement with the canvas Z by the present device.

The present device has another function, in that, being disposed at the end of the platform canvas, it lies below the vertical elevator of the harvester (not shown). It is well known that, when the mechanism of the harvester is thrown out when the machine is turned at corners, or when the ele-' and specifivator ceases to move as a result or differential action of the ground wheels of the machine, stalks of grain are'sometimes engaged between the canvases of the vertical elevator only by their stalks, and, the heads being heavier, the Weight thereof tends 'to drag-thestalks from the elevator and'permit these stalks to'fall to the ground. Thepresent device, being located in a position to lie beneath the Vertical elevator, will receive the heads of the grain thereagainst and prevent sufficient movement thereof to disen- ,egage their stalks from the vertical elevator.

There has thus been provided a simple and eflicient device of thekind described and for the purpose specified.

It is obvious that many'minor changes may be made inthe form and construction of the invention without'departing from the 'materialiprinciples thereof. It is not-therefore desired to confine the invention=to -the exact form herein shown anddescribed but nected t0 the inturned edges on the other side, and flexible buckle provided straps extendingthrough the loops for detachable connection to brace members of the binder.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature, in the presence of two Witnesses.

JESS-L. BURNS. Witnesses C. A. CHALLGREN, R. D. HAsTY.

Copies of this patent may be" obtained for fiveicents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, 'D." G. 

